JP4316444B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of setting printing conditions and the like.

Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have a program function for registering frequently used settings such as printing conditions. For example, Patent Document 1 described below describes a document reading and recording apparatus that can store edit setting contents of a combination of a plurality of functions and read and set them when necessary.
JP 2002-185661 A

  However, the program registration as described above requires an operation by the user to register, and due to its complexity, the program function is not utilized much except for a user who frequently uses the program.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of registering settings such as printing conditions without a special operation for registration.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes: a user setting storage unit that stores user settings including setting values for one or more predetermined setting items related to execution of an image forming job; and execution of the image forming job. When an instruction is received, an automatic storage control unit that stores the user setting in the user setting storage unit, and an operator selects one user setting from the user settings stored in the user setting storage unit The automatic storage control means comprises: a selection means; a setting means for setting each setting value included in the user setting selected by the selection means in the apparatus; and an image formation job execution means for executing an image formation job. It is a case of storing the user setting the user setting storage unit, and the user setting, the setting values for the setting items of a predetermined number or more match, One, if one or a predetermined number of setting items set value is not user setting match for have already been stored in the user setting storage means, the one of these user settings The user settings are integrated by selecting a user setting and storing only the selected user setting in the user setting storage means.

  According to this configuration, when the image forming job is executed, the apparatus automatically stores user settings for the setting items of the image forming job. Thereafter, the operator can select an appropriate user setting from the user settings stored in the apparatus by using the selection means and set it in the apparatus. As a result, the user setting is stored in the apparatus without manually storing troublesome setting values for the operator, so that the operator can store the user setting without performing troublesome operations. it can. Moreover, according to this configuration, since similar user settings are integrated and stored without causing duplicate storage, the storage capacity can be saved, and in addition, similar user settings can also be integrated to obtain a history. Since it is simplified, it is possible to avoid complicated selection of user settings.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic storage control unit has already set a user setting in which only a setting value for the one setting item does not match the user setting. if the storage means is stored, the setting value is not the match is to select a user setting closer to the default value.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic storage control unit matches setting values for the predetermined number or more of setting items, and Alternatively, when a plurality of user settings that do not match setting values for a predetermined number of setting items are stored in the user setting storage unit, the user setting with the lowest use frequency is selected from among the user settings. It is intended.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic storage control unit associates the user setting with operator specifying information and sets the user setting. An operator specifying information input means for inputting the operator specifying information, and a user setting storing means associated with the operator specifying information input by the operator specifying information input means; Selection environment control means for making the stored user settings selectable by the operator with the selection means;

According to this configuration, by associating the user set steering author identification information is stored in the user setting storage unit, the operator in the selection means a subscriber setting association is to store the inputted operator identification information is Since it is in a selectable state, the operator can easily select a user setting from user settings stored in the past and set it in the apparatus. Thereby, the operator can select a user setting from a list of user settings that match the operator's personality and have a higher possibility of setting.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the user setting stored by the automatic storage control unit is selected by the selection unit. Frequency information adding means for adding frequency information to the user setting, and when storing the user setting in the user setting storage means, if there is not enough storage area, the frequency information adding means sets the user setting to the user setting. And deleting means for deleting the user setting with the lowest added frequency information.

  According to this configuration, when there is not enough storage area for storing user settings in the apparatus, the user settings that are already stored are deleted in order from the least frequently used user settings. By erasing from a user setting with low use frequency, which is considered to be relatively unlikely, a new user setting can be stored without impairing the user's usability.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein an instruction for an operator to instruct the user setting storage unit to store the user setting is provided. And a manual storage control unit that stores the user setting in the user setting storage unit regardless of whether an instruction to execute an image forming job is received or not when the instruction is received by the instruction unit. Is.

According to this configuration, the operator can manually give an instruction and store the user setting in the apparatus, so that the desired user setting can be stored even when the image forming job is not executed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image forming job is executed, the apparatus automatically stores the user settings for the setting items of the image forming job. Thereafter, the operator can select an appropriate user setting from the user settings stored in the apparatus by using the selection means and set it in the apparatus. As a result, the user setting is stored in the apparatus without manually storing troublesome setting values for the operator, so that the operator can store the user setting without performing troublesome operations. it can. Moreover, according to this configuration, since similar user settings are integrated and stored without causing duplicate storage, the storage capacity can be saved, and in addition, similar user settings can also be integrated to obtain a history. Since it is simplified, it is possible to avoid complicated selection of user settings .

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a main body 1a, a stack tray 1b disposed on the left side of the main body 1a, a document reading unit 1c disposed on the top of the main body 1a, and a document reading unit 1c. And a document feeding unit 1d.

  An operation unit 2 is provided at the front part of the copying machine 1. The document reading unit 1c includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. Image data acquired while scanning is output to an image formation control unit (not shown). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 1d, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 1d via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired, and the image data is output to the image formation control unit.

  The document feeding unit 1d includes a document placement unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placement unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 1d is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 1a so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 1d upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 1a includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461 that store recording papers having different paper types (plain paper that can be printed on both sides, reusable paper that can be printed on only one side) and different sizes, and paper feed cassettes. A sheet feeding roller 462 for feeding recording sheets one by one from the sheet 461 to the recording unit 40 and a recording unit 40 for forming an image on the recording sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 461 are provided. Note that the paper type and paper size stored in each paper feed cassette 461 are stored in the image forming control unit, and when the operator sets the paper type used for printing, the paper feed in which the paper type is stored. Recording paper is fed from the cassette 461.

  The recording unit 40 outputs an optical beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a developing unit 44 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer unit 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit 45 for fixing the toner image to the recording paper by heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred, Conveying rollers 463, 464, etc. that are provided in the sheet conveying path and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 1 b or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the copying machine 1 in the present embodiment. The copier 1 includes an operation unit 2, a control unit 10, and a copier body unit 3. Here, the copying machine main body 3 is all parts other than the operation unit 2 and the control unit 10 in the copying machine 1. The operation unit 2 is a user interface for operation of the copying machine 1 and has an appearance shown in FIG. 3, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 2 includes a touch panel display 21 and various operation buttons such as a start button 22, a setting value registration button 23, a registered setting value call button 24, a numeric keypad button 25, and a logout button 26. The start button 22 is a button for instructing the start of copying. The set value registration button 23 registers a current set value (user setting) of a predetermined setting item (for example, all setting items that can be set by the operator excluding the number of copies setting) related to the setting of the copy condition in the apparatus. It is a button for instructing. The registered set value call button 24 is a button for instructing to call a user setting already registered in the apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a registered set value) and set it in the apparatus. Here, “setting” refers to storing a setting value for current use in the apparatus, and “registering” refers to storing a setting value for future use in the apparatus. The logout button 26 is a button for instructing to log out from a device that has performed user authentication and logged in.

  When the operation unit 2 accepts the pressing of the start button 22, the operation unit 2 transmits that fact to the copy control unit 14 (described later) and the set value registration control unit 15 (described later). When the operation unit 2 accepts pressing of the set value registration button 23, the operation unit 2 transmits that fact to the set value registration control unit 15. When the operation unit 2 receives input of various copy condition settings, the operation unit 2 writes the set values in corresponding setting items of a setting value storage unit 11 (described later).

  When the operation unit 2 accepts the pressing of the registered set value call button 24, the operation unit 2 transmits that fact to the set value registration control unit 15. In response to this, the registered set value selection screen (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the touch panel display 21 based on the list of registered set values transmitted from the set value registration control unit 15. The screen shown on the touch panel display 21 in FIG. 3 is an example of a registered set value selection screen. In the registration list column 212, a list of registered setting values is displayed, in which each setting value excluding the default value is displayed separated by a slash. In the list number column 211, numbers added in the order of the list are displayed. The order of this list is, for example, in descending order of use frequency (number of selections). In the case of a registered set value registered (manually registered) by pressing the set value registration button 23, a mark 214 (for example, a list number surrounded by a frame) is attached to the list number. In the case of a registered set value registered (automatically registered) upon execution of a copy job, this mark is not attached. When there is a next page of the registration list 212, the display of the registration list 212 is switched to the previous or next page by pressing the up / down key 213.

  When the operation unit 2 accepts that one of the labels of the registration list 212 is touched on the registration setting value selection screen, the operation unit 2 sets, for example, the list number 211 of the registration setting value of the label as the setting value registration control unit 15. Send to. In response to this, the set value registration control unit 15 reads the registered set value (set value of each setting item) corresponding to the list number 211 from the set value registration storage unit 12 and writes it in the set value storage unit 11.

  When the operation unit 2 receives an input of a user ID on a user authentication screen (not shown), the operation unit 2 transmits the user ID to the user authentication unit 13. In response to this, the user authentication unit 13 checks whether or not the user ID list previously held by the user authentication unit 13 has the user ID, and if there is, sends a notification of successful authentication to the operation unit 2. At the same time, the user ID is written in the user ID storage unit 16. If the input user ID is not in the user ID list, the user authentication unit 13 transmits an authentication failure message to the operation unit 2. When the operation unit 2 receives an unsuccessful authentication from the user authentication unit 13, the operation unit 2 does not accept an operation other than the input of the user ID from the operator. When the operation unit 2 accepts pressing of the logout button 26, the operation unit 2 displays a user authentication screen so that no operation other than the input of the user ID is accepted from the operator.

  Next, the control unit 10 will be described. The control unit 10 controls the entire copying machine 1 and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The control unit 10 includes a set value storage unit 11, a set value registration storage unit 12, a user authentication unit 13, a copy control unit 14, a set value registration control unit 15, and a user ID storage unit 16.

  The set value storage unit 11 stores current set values for the apparatus 1 for various copying conditions (for example, double-sided printing, aggregation, etc.). The set value registration storage unit 12 stores registered set values (user settings) registered for the device 1. For this purpose, the set value registration storage unit 12 stores a registered set value list shown in FIG. The user ID column 121 of the registered set value list stores a user ID used for user authentication for using the apparatus (copier) 1 when the set value is registered. In the automatic / manual type column 122, whether the setting value is registered automatically (when the start button 22 is pressed) or manually (when the setting value registration button 23 is pressed). Stores the type. The number of selections column 123 stores the number of times the registered set value of the row has been selected. The setting item column 124 stores setting values for all copy conditions that can be set (except for the number of copies). However, if the set value is a default value, “def.” Is entered. The registration list 212 on the registration setting value selection screen shown in FIG. 3 shows that the user whose user ID is “AAA” when the registration setting value list shown in FIG. This is displayed when the registered set value call button 24 is pressed. Of the registered setting values in the registered setting value list, only those whose user ID column 121 is “AAA” are displayed in the registration list 212. In addition, the display order of “manual” described in the automatic / manual type column 122 is displayed first, and in each (“manual” or “automatic”), it is described in the selection number column 123. The values are displayed in descending order.

  The user ID storage unit 16 stores a user ID of a user who is developing and using the copying machine 1. When the user authentication unit 13 receives the user ID from the operation unit 2, is the user ID list of the user permitted to use the copier 1 stored in advance by the user authentication unit 13, whether the received user ID exists? Check whether or not. When the user ID is in the user ID list, the operation unit 2 replies to the operation unit 2 that authentication is successful, and writes the user ID in the user ID storage unit 16. If the user ID is not in the user ID list, the operation unit 2 returns a message indicating that the authentication is unsuccessful to the operation unit.

  When the setting value registration control unit 15 receives from the operation unit 2 that the setting value registration button 23 has been pressed or from the operation unit 2 that the start value 22 has been pressed, the setting value registration control unit 15 stores the setting value. The contents of the unit 11 are written into the registered set value list of the set value registration storage unit 12. At this time, the set value registration control unit 15 integrates, for example, when the current set value (the contents of the set value storage unit 11) can be integrated with the contents of the registered set value list of the set value registration storage unit 12. Specifically, for example, when there is a registered setting value that is different from the current setting value only in the value of one setting item (however, the user ID in the user ID column 121 is the same as the user ID in the user ID storage unit 16 and manual In the case of registration, only the registration setting values for which manual is set in the automatic / manual type column 122 and automatic is set in the automatic / manual type column 122 are set as targets. The contents of the setting value storage unit 11 and the setting value of only one setting item are stored as a registered setting value) and registered (stored in the setting value registration storage unit 12). For this, for example, a setting value that is closer to the default value of a different setting item is registered. In addition, when there are a plurality of registered setting values that differ only in the setting value storage unit contents and the setting value of one setting item, for example, the registered setting value with the lowest use frequency is set as the integration target. When creating a new line in the registered set value list (FIG. 4), the user ID column 121 has a user ID stored in the user ID storage unit 16 and the automatic / manual type column 122 has an automatic registration. If there is “automatic” manual registration, “manual”, “0” is written in the selection number field 123, and the contents of the setting value storage unit 11 are written in the setting item field 124.

  When the setting value registration control unit 15 receives from the operation unit 2 that the registration setting value call button 24 has been pressed, the setting value registration control unit 15 reads the user ID from the user ID storage unit 16 (described later), and the user ID is The registered setting values described in the user ID column 121 (see FIG. 4) are read from the registered setting value list of the setting value registration storage unit 12 and the list of registered settings is transmitted to the operation unit 2.

  The copy control unit 14 performs control for copying when receiving a notification that the start button 22 has been pressed from the operation unit 2. At this time, the copy control unit 14 reads the set value of the copy condition from the set value storage unit 11, and controls the copier main body unit 3 based on this to make a copy.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of control of registration of set values in the copying machine 1. FIG. Steps S1 to S3 are user authentication processes. In step S1, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not the input of the user ID by the operator is accepted. If not accepted (NO in step S1), the operation unit 2 repeats the process of step S1 until the input. When the input of the user ID is accepted (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the operation unit 2 transmits the input user ID to the user authentication unit 13, and the user authentication unit 13 checks whether or not the input user ID exists in the user ID list held by the operation unit 2. If the input user ID is in the user ID list, the user authentication is successful (YES in step S2), and the process proceeds to step S3. If the authentication is not successful (when the input user ID is not in the user ID list) (NO in step S2), the process returns to step S1 and starts again from the input of the user ID. In step S <b> 3, the user authentication unit 13 writes the input user ID in the user ID storage unit 16.

  Steps S <b> 4 to S <b> 8 are processes for calling the registered setting values and setting them in the apparatus 1. In step S4, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not the pressing of the registered set value call button 24 is accepted. When the pressing of the registered set value call button 24 is accepted (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S <b> 5, the operation unit 2 transmits to the setting value registration control unit 15 that the registered setting value call button 24 has been pressed. The set value registration control unit 15 reads the user ID from the user ID storage unit 16, and the description of the user ID column 121 in the registered set value list of the set value registration storage unit 12 is the user ID read from the user ID storage unit 16. The registered setting value 124 of the same row is read, and the registered setting value is transmitted to the operation unit 2. In response to this, the operation unit 2 displays a registration setting value selection screen (registration setting value selection list) on the touch panel 21 of the operation unit 2 based on the received registration setting value. In step S6, the operation unit checks whether or not one of the registered setting values on the registered setting value selection screen has been selected (for example, one of the labels in the registration list field 212 has been pressed). (NO in step S6), the process of step S6 is repeated. If one of the registered set values is selected (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, the operation unit 2 increments the value in the selection number column 123 of the selected registered setting value row in the registered setting value list of the setting value registration storage unit 12. In step S <b> 8, the operation unit 2 transmits the type (for example, list number) of the selected registration setting value to the setting value registration control unit 15. In response to this, the set value registration control unit 15 reads out the selected registered set value (the set value of each setting item) from the registered set value list of the set value registration storage unit 12 and writes it into the set value storage unit 11. If the registered set value call button 24 is not pressed in the branch of step S4 (NO in step S4), the process proceeds to step S9 when the process of step S8 is completed.

  Steps S <b> 9 to S <b> 10 are values setting processing for arbitrary setting items of the apparatus 1. In step S9, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not an input of a setting value of an arbitrary setting item (for example, double-sided printing, aggregation, etc.) has been accepted by the operator. YES), the process proceeds to step S10. In step S <b> 10, the operation unit 2 writes the input setting value in the setting item column of the setting value storage unit 11. If no setting value is input to any setting item in the branch of step S9 (NO in step S9), and if the process of step S10 is completed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  Steps S11 to S16 are manual setting value registration processes by the operator. In step S11, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not the pressing of the set value registration button 23 has been accepted, and if accepted (YES in step S11), the operation unit 2 proceeds to step S12. In step S <b> 12, the operation unit 2 transmits to the setting value registration control unit 15 that the setting value registration button 23 has been pressed. In response to this, the set value registration control unit 15 performs processing for writing the contents of the set value storage unit 11 into the set value registration storage unit 12. For this reason, first, it is checked whether or not the contents of the set value storage unit 11 can be integrated with those already registered in the set value registration storage unit 12. The set value registration control unit 15 checks whether or not there is a registered set value in the set value registration storage unit 12 that is different from the content of the set value storage unit 11 only in the set value of one setting item. NO at step S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the set value registration control unit 15 checks whether or not an area for writing the registered set value in the set value registration storage unit 12 is free. If not (NO in step S13), step Proceed to S14. In step S <b> 14, the set value registration control unit 15 deletes the registered set value of the row with the smallest number of selections 123 of the registered set value list in the set value registration storage unit 12. In step S <b> 15, the set value registration control unit 15 adds the contents of the set value storage unit 11 to the registered set value list of the set value registration storage unit 12. At this time, the contents of the user ID storage unit are stored in the user ID column 121, “manual” in the automatic / manual type column 122, “0” in the selection number column 123, and the setting item column 124 in the setting value storage unit 11. Write the contents.

  If the registration setting value that can be integrated in the branch of step S12 is in the registration setting value list (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the content of the setting value storage unit 11 and the registration setting value to be integrated are integrated and written to the registration setting value list. If the set value registration button 23 is not pressed in the branch of step S11 (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to step S17 when the process of step S15 ends, or when the process of step S16 ends.

  Steps S17 to S22 are processing for automatically registering set values. In step S17, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not the pressing of the start button 22 has been accepted, and if accepted (YES in step S17), the operation unit 2 proceeds to step S18. In the processing from step S18 to step S22, the start button 22 replaces the set value registration button 23, and when the registered set value is added to the registered set value list, the automatic / manual type column 122 is set to “automatic”. Since it is basically the same as the processing of step S12 to step S16 except for that, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 23, the copy control unit 14 reads the setting values of the setting items from the setting value storage unit 11 and uses them to control the copier body unit 3 to perform the copying process. In step S <b> 24, the operation unit 2 checks whether or not the pressing of the logout button 26 is accepted. If pressing of the logout button 26 is not accepted (NO in step S24), and if the start button 22 is not pressed in the branch of step S17 (NO in step S17), the process returns to step S4, and from step S4 Repeat the process. If it is determined in step S24 that the logout button 26 has been pressed (YES in step S24), the process returns to step S1 and the processes from step S1 are repeated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, setting values for copying conditions are registered in the copying machine when copying is performed, and the registered setting values can be recalled and used thereafter. As a result, the set value is registered without the operator being aware of it, so that the set value registration function can be readily used.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, The aspect described below can be employ | adopted. In the present embodiment, a copying machine is used as the image forming apparatus. However, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine that integrates these functions may be used.

  In the present embodiment, when a copying machine is used, user authentication is always performed. However, user authentication is not necessarily performed, and when user authentication is performed, the user performs (automatic and automatic). When user authentication is not performed from the registered setting value registered manually, the registered setting value may be selected from the registered setting value without performing user authentication (automatically and manually). Good.

  In the present embodiment, the number of copies is not included in the setting item of the registered setting value, but the number of copies may be included. In the present embodiment, the registered setting values are integrated when only the setting values of one setting item do not match. However, this is not necessarily one, and it is a predetermined number of minutes. It is sufficient if the setting values of the setting items do not match (or match).

  In the present embodiment, the total number of selections in the past is used as information on the frequency with which the registered set value is selected. However, the number of selections (selection frequency) in a predetermined period (for example, the last one week) may be obtained. .

  In this embodiment, when there is not enough area for storing registered setting values, the registered setting values are deleted in order from the lowest registered setting value selection frequency. You may make it erase in order.

  In the present embodiment, the registered set values are displayed on the registered set value selection screen in descending order of use frequency. For example, the registered set values may be displayed in order from the oldest registered time. It is also possible to specify setting values for a small number (for example, one) of setting items and display only registered setting values that match the setting values.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the example of the external appearance of the operation part in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration setting value list | wrist in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 Copying machine (image forming device)
12 set value registration storage unit (user setting storage means)
123 Number of selections (frequency information)
13 User authentication unit (operator identification information input means)
15 Set value registration control unit (automatic storage control means, setting means, manual storage control means, frequency information adding means, erasing means)
2 Operation part (selection means, instruction means)
23 Set value registration button (instruction means)
3 Copier body (image forming job execution means)

Claims (6)

User setting storage means for storing user settings including respective setting values for one or more predetermined setting items related to execution of an image forming job;
Automatic storage control means for storing the user settings in the user setting storage means when an instruction to execute an image forming job is received;
Selecting means for an operator to select one user setting from the user settings stored in the user setting storage means;
Setting means for setting each setting value included in the user setting selected by the selection means in the apparatus;
An image forming job execution means for executing an image forming job,
In the case where the automatic storage control means stores the user setting in the user setting storage means, the user setting coincides with a setting value for a predetermined number or more of setting items, and one or a predetermined value is set. When user settings that do not match the setting values for several setting items are already stored in the user setting storage means, any one of these user settings is selected and this selection is made. An image forming apparatus that integrates the user settings by storing only the user settings made in the user setting storage means. The automatic storage control unit, when the user setting the setting value only for one setting item does not match is already stored in the user setting storage unit, setting values not the match closer to the default value The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a user setting is selected . The automatic storage control means is configured such that the user settings that match the setting values for the predetermined number or more of the setting items and the setting values of the one or a predetermined number of setting items do not match are the user The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of settings are stored in the setting storage unit, a user setting having the lowest use frequency is selected as the integration target. Before Symbol automated storage control means, it is stored in the user setting storage unit in association with the user setting the operator identification information,
Operator identification information input means for inputting the operator identification information;
A selection environment in which the user setting stored in the user setting storage means associated with the operator specifying information input by the operator specifying information input means can be selected by the selection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit. Frequency information adding means for adding frequency information related to the frequency selected by the selection means to the user setting stored by the automatic storage control means;
In the case where the user setting is stored in the user setting storage means, if there is not enough storage area, the deleting means for deleting the user setting with the lowest frequency information added to the user setting by the frequency information adding means. When,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An instruction means for an operator to instruct the user setting storage means to store the user setting;
Manual storage control means for storing the user settings in the user setting storage means regardless of whether or not an instruction to execute an image forming job is accepted when the instructions are accepted by the instruction means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images